FIFA president Sepp Blatter is extremely calm about the prospect of Brazil hosting the World Cup without incident, as he has been in the job too long to suggest anything different.

Blatter told reporters in Hong Kong that it is normal for there to be teething problems ahead of such a huge tournament: "This is my tenth World Cup since I joined the FIFA organisation and I have never seen a World Cup that has everything ready on time during that span."

"Four years ago, I remember people saying that we should not have gone to South Africa and that people should be wearing bullet-proof vests when they are on the streets."

"I urge you to be optimistic as we are optimistic. Football is stronger than any outside power as it is being played everywhere around the world, and I believe it is going to be a great World Cup tournament in Brazil."

The competition kicks off with Brazil versus Croatia on June 12 in Sao Paulo.